semester

noun

se·​mes·​ter sə-ˈme-stər 

1

: either of the two usually 18-week periods of instruction into which an academic year is often divided

2

: a period of six months

semestral

sə-ˈme-strəl 

adjective

or semestrial

sə-ˈme-strē-əl 

Examples of semester in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Numerous other fraternities and a handful of sororities have received probation and warnings for hazing in the period from 2018 through the spring 2025 semester. —Matthew Kelly april 6, Kansas City Star, 6 Apr. 2026

Another semester of navigating the lives and times of the student body at KISS (Korean Independent School of Seoul) is in session, and the vibes are magical. —Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 4 Apr. 2026

The bachelor’s program for Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies at Georgia State University is being deactivated at the end of this semester, according to the school, which said the major had low enrollment. —Jason Armesto, AJC.com, 4 Apr. 2026

So should the districts within states that treat personal finance as a one-semester checkbox rather than a foundation. —Gerald Bradshaw, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

German, from Latin semestris half-yearly, from sex six + mensis month — more at six, moon

First Known Use

1827, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing semester

• semester hour

Rhymes for semester

• ancestor
• arrester
• digester
• investor
• protester
• requester
• sequester
• silvester
• trimester
• ester
• esther
• fester

Kids Definition

semester

noun

se·​mes·​ter sə-ˈmes-tər 

: either of two terms of about 18 weeks each that make up a school year